EXHIBIT A

MAINTENANCE GRANT APPLICATION CHECK LIST (Return this completed form with your application)

MANDATORY:

Signed letter of resolution from Governing Body that includes resources/support committed to the project Exhibit A – Application Exhibit B – Budget (Unprotected Excel CPW form) Environmental Forms

Maps/Photos/Graphics [Separate PDF document(s)] DO NOT combine with application

Letters of Support (maximum of 5). No letters from clubs, groups or individuals specifically working on the project.

Project should be completed within 2.5 years from receiving grant. Required MATCH funding is secured, including CASH match funds.

CPW Area Manager was contacted about the project by September 8th and applicant has discussed the project with them. Note: ALL projects will be reviewed by CPW for wildlife impacts.

Project area is owned by public land agency or has easement that designates the area to be open to public outdoor recreation for at least 25 years.

Formal Environmental Assessment (EA) or NEPA has been completed with final approval for the project area (federal lands only, include link to EA).

Construction projects have been evaluated for required permits and if required, permits have been acquired (404 permit, etc.).

ADDITIONAL PROJECT HIGHLIGHTS: Youth Corps or youth organization will be used on the project (name of organization).

Volunteers will be utilized on the project (name of organization). EXHIBIT A

NON-MOTORIZED MAINTENANCE APPLICATION Applicant or Organization Name: Complete Mailing Address: Applicant Lead Contact Name: Title: Is this the primary contact for Telephone: Email: this grant: YES NO OFFICIAL USE ONLY – DUNS # (IF REQUIRED): PROJECT MANAGER (this person will have day-to-day responsibility for the project) Name: Telephone: Email:

PRIMARY PARTNER INFORMATION (IF APPLICABLE) Name: Mailing Address:

Partner Contact Name: Title: Is this the primary contact for Telephone: Email: this grant: YES NO

ABOUT THE PROJECT Project Title: Grant Request: $ Match Amount (Min. 30%): $ Total Project Cost: $ Project Description: Write a 2-3 paragraph description of your project and the expected accomplishments. Be sure to include Who, What, When and Where. This is your scope of work. (This section is not the place to talk about the project background, the benefits, the funding, or anything other than the actual work to be accomplished. Please address this information in question #1 of the Selection Criteria.)

WHO? Who will complete the work and who will oversee the project? Provide a brief description of your community or organization, highlighting its mission and purpose.

WHAT? Explain what you are going to do or accomplish. What is the goal or the reason for your project? Break down the project into a list of specific activities to be completed. These should be quantifiable items that correspond to the categories on your budget page. Include quantity or quality as part of your description of work to be performed. How long? How many? How many feet? How many miles? What materials will be used? Is a specific standard or guideline being used?

WHERE? Explain in detail the location of your project. Where is the project located? What county? What are the nearby towns? What National Forest/ BLM Field Office? Provide the names of the trail(s) or trail system and where the work will be performed. List the land manager agency or municipality.

DEFINITIONS? Please define all acronyms and specialized terms that are used in your project description. EXHIBIT A

Project Description

Previous CPW grants awarded (last 3 years) List award year, category and project name (;+,%,7$

LAND OWNERSHIP 1. Provide the name/s of the property owners: US Forest Service 2. The trail corridor is controlled by: Fee Simple Lease Easement License Right-of-Way ✔ Other: Federal land-USFS USER INFORMATION (Please check all that apply) ✔ Hiking Motorcycling ✔ Equestrian

Walking Four-Wheeling ADA Accessible

Running All-Terrain Vehicle Paddling Skateboarding Snowmobiling ✔ Other Camping In-Line Skating Snowshoeing Other

Biking X-Country Skiing Other TRAIL SURFACE Asphalt Concrete Other

✔ Natural Crusher Fines Other PROJECT LOCATION (For multiple project sites attach a separate list.) Nearest Town or City: Fairplay County: Park County Latitude & Longitude Coordinates (in decimal degrees): 39.06824603, -106.1164066 State Congressional District (https://www.govtrack.us/congress/members): 5

Please fill out all the applicable categories for your project:

Acreage of new trailhead Miles of trail being planned Miles of new trail construction Miles of trail maintenance .19 Miles of inter-connecting trail Miles of trail reroute .19 Miles of trail to be decommissioned Miles of trail to be restored .19 Miles of trail to be signed8 Miles of trail grooming Other Other

Applicant Authorized Signature: ______Date: ______(From Applicant Organization)

Digitally signed by JOSHUA JOSHUA VOORHIS VOORHIS Land Agency Authorized Signature: ______Date: 2020.10.08 14:56:27 -06'00'_____Date: ______(From project location land agency, if different from applicant) EXHIBIT A

TIMELINE

Provide a timeline estimate using the following form. Remember that the project is to be completed within two and a half years of the award date. Any proposed changes, including extensions or modifications in the project timeline, must be requested in writing and approved in advance by the State Trails Program.

PRELIMINARY TIMELINE ESTIMATE

Jul- Oct- Jan- Apr- Jul- Oct- Jan- Apr- Jul- Oct- TASK Sep Dec Mar Jun Sep Dec Mar Jun Sep Dec 2021 2021 2022 2022 2022 2022 2023 2023 2023 2023 Project Initiation

Mobilization

Maintenance Phase

Administrative Close-Out Grand Opening EXHIBIT A

1. SCOPE (15 Points Total)

EXHIBIT A

2. NEED (15 Points)

EXHIBIT A

3. PLANNING/SUSTAINABILITY (Planning and Prioritization Process) (15 points)

EXHIBIT A

4. PLANNING/SUSTAINABILITY (Financial Sustainability) (15 points)

EXHIBIT A

5. (PLANNING/SUSTAINABILITY) Wildlife and Natural Resources (10 points)

EXHIBIT A

6. (PUBLIC COMMENT) Public notification is mandatory for all projects (10 points)

EXHIBIT A

7. (ABILITY) Matching Funds and Partnerships (10 points)

EXHIBIT A

8. (ABILITY) Contingency/Ability (5 points)

The plank bridge crossing Rich Creek about a quarter mile from the trailhead washed downstream. As a result of this, a social trail developed along the east side of Rich Creek following a very narrow, precarious route along the steep embankment of the creek. This route is neither sustainable nor safe, especially for equestrian users. The proposed reroute of the trail would provide a safer more sustainable trail that reduces erosion into the creek while still maintaining the user experience of hearing and seeing the creek. Additionally, the old trail crossed the creek twice within about a quarter mile. Once where the bridge washed out, and above that, where a beaver has now constructed a dam and the water crossing is about 30 yards wide currently. If we were to reestablish the previous trail, we would have to reroute the upper portion either above or below the dam, which would create additional impacts to the riparian area.

Project Description and Proposed Action The proposed reroute of the trail is approximately .19 miles (992 feet) in length and runs along a bench above the current social trail. As a portion of this trail will lie in the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness, only hand tools would be utilized in the construction of the trail. The benefit of constructing a new trail along a the proposed reroute, versus rebuilding the bridge and reestablishing the previous trail corridor, is that the proposed reroute will have much less impact the creek.

South Park National Heritage Area Park County Department of Heritage & Tourism PO Box 1373 Fairplay, CO 80440 719-836-4273 [email protected]

09/30/2020

The South Park National Heritage Area (SPNHA) and Park County’s Department of Heritage & Tourism (PCDHT) would like to demonstrate support for funding the Heritage Initiative (MRHI), South Park Ranger District (SPRD) and Southwest Conservation Corps (SCC) project to reroute a damaged section of the Rich Creek Trail just west of Fairplay.

One major goal of the SPNHA is to conserve and enhance South Park’s natural and recreational resources. Rich Creek Trail is a hiking/equestrian trail along Rich Creek in the South Park Ranger District. It provides important access into the Buffalo Peaks Wilderness. Travelers often combine it with Tumble Creek Trail to form a loop of about ten miles. The proposed reroute of the trail would provide a safer more sustainable trail that reduces erosion into the creek while still maintaining the user experience of hearing and seeing the creek. Several years ago, the plank bridge crossing Rich Creek about a quarter mile from the trailhead washed downstream. As a result, a social trail developed along the east side of Rich Creek following a very narrow, precarious route along the steep embankment of the creek. This route is neither sustainable nor safe, especially for equestrian users. The proposed reroute of the trail is approximately .19 miles (992 feet) in length and runs along a bench above the current social trail. This new route would fulfill the goal of the SPNHA to conserve and enhance this natural and recreational resource.

Another goal of the SPNHA is to provide responsible access to South Park’s resources to the public. Closing unauthorized, user-created routes within the Heritage Area does just this. We appreciate MRHI's ongoing community education efforts toward responsible mountain recreation. With increased visitors to the area protecting natural resources while encouraging sustainable enjoyment is vital.

The South Park National Heritage Area has partnered with MRHI in many successful projects over the past few years and our experiences have always been positive. They are an inspired group with outstanding volunteers and an important mission. PCTHD and the SPNHA are pleased to support MRHI because their work fulfills the management plan goals of the SPNHA and our Department. We look forward to continue to work with them to protect the natural and recreational resources within the South Park National Heritage Area and Park County. Thank you for your consideration of this important project.

Thank you,

Jennie Andrusin Projects & Grants Manager South Park National Heritage Area Park County Department of Heritage & Tourism

Ginni Greer PO Box 65 Alma, CO 80420 September 30, 2020

Cara Doyle Mosquito Range Heritage Initiative PO Box 375 Alma, CO 80420

Dear Cara,

I fully support the MRHI Grant Application for a State Recreational Trails Non-Motorized Maintenance Grant and the completion of the Rich Creek Trail Reroute. This is a heavily used trail with people of all levels of ability using it. It’s a beautiful trail and one of only a few numbered Forest Service trails in the Mosquito Range. I hiked the Rich Creek Trail just last week and was surprised by the condition of that section of trail. A number of years ago, the plank bridge crossing Rich Creek washed downstream. As a result, a social trail developed along the side of Rich Creek following a very narrow, precarious route along the steep embankment of the creek. The social trail that is currently being used has slid/eroded away. This route is neither sustainable nor safe, especially for equestrian users. I don’t see how a horse could possibly navigate that section. It could be dangerous for some users. The friend I was with had a very difficult time crossing that section as she is recovering from a knee injury. I believe that this section would turn a number of people around. The proposed reroute of the trail is approximately .19 miles (992 feet) in length and runs along a bench above the current social trail.

This project is desperately needed to keep this trail open to all users and to make it safe for users. Sincerely, Ginni Greer